Mine-locomotive



W. W. SLQANE.

MINE LOCOMOTIVE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-15,1920.

Patented Nov. 9, 1920.

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W. W. SLOANE.

MINE LOCOMOTIVE- APPLICATION FILED JAN-15. 1920.

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Patented Nov. 9, 1920.

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MINE LOCOMOTIVE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 15. 1920.

Patented Nov. 9, 1920.

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W. W. SLOANE.

MINE LOCOMOTIVE- APPLICATION FILED JAN-15, I920.

Patented Nov. 9, 1920.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFice.

witmaivrw. SLOANEFOF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, Adi-7S1:GNQRf330 GOODMANMANUFLAG 'IURING' COMPANY, 01? CHICAGO, rumors} A coItPoItATioN OFF ILLINOIS.

MiNE-LOCOMOTIVE- T 0 all w 7mm it may concern:

Be it knowirthat l, VVILUAM V. SLOANE', a citizeno'f the'Un'it'ed States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented an Improvement teries, although notnecessarily restricted to The obj ect of my invention, generally stated, is to provide a single-motor locomotive having a pair of flexibly mounted drivingaxles, in which the overall height of the locomotive may be reduced toa minimum, was to be particularly adaptable for use in mines;

Iii-inc locomotives deriving electrical en ergy from" the trolley wirehave heretofore been constructed in accordance with Patent lid i2 to' N. D. Levin, in which two axles are pivotally mounted on the locomotive frame in order 0 aii ordrelative flexibility of the axles in following uneven track, and in which the power from a single motor moimted on the i ame is transmitted to the aides through a reachgear in vertical alinement with. the pivot. However, it has been found that such a construction is not readily adaptable to locomotives of the storagebattery type, on account of the bull; and height of storage batteries which must be carried by such locomotives. As a general propose tion, it is desirableto increase the lengt'ho'f wheelbase commensurate with any increase in bulk and-weight of the locomotive. In

the flexible truck construction shown in the Levin. patent,-it will be observedthat the length oi wheelbase is necessarily limited by the size of the reach gear between the axle gears, and that the driving mechanism is placed above the reach gear, and comparatively high on thelocomotive frame. Furthermore, there is a.- definite relation be tween the height of the drivingmechanism andthe length of Wheelbase, inasmuch as anyincrease in the sizeof thereachgear, in

order I to" increase the *wheelbase, will necessitate a corresponding increase inltlie height of the driving mechanism and motor. If

Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented Nov. 9,1920.

Application filed January 15, 1920. Serial No. 351,600.-

the batteries are superposed over the driving mechanism and motor located above the" reachgear, arrangedas'sh'own in thelievin patent, the overallheig'htof the l comotive mechanismis lowered, and thewheelbase lengthened sothat the overall height of the locomotive, including the batteries, isre duced toa minimum.

Further objects and advan'tages 'will ap'- pear from the following description of the construction of a locomotive embodying one of many forms "in which my invention may be incorporated.

The invention consists in the construction, combination andarrangemenhof parts, as will hereinafter be iuclly set forth in connection with the" accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the; appended claimsi in the drawings, Figure l is a side view in elevation'ot a storage battery locomotive embodying my invention.

Fig. 2is an enlarged top view-of the %n' tral portion of the locomotivetrame, with the storage b attery box removed.

Fig. 3 is a vertical crosssectiontakenon line 33 of Big, 2, drawn to a larger scale than ig. 2, with thebattery boxomitted.

Fig. i isan enlarged cross section taken on line -'ld of Fig. 2 and drawn to the same scale as Fig. 3,with the battery box omitted.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical cross section 05 detail view, taken" on li-ne"6 6 of Fig. illustrating details of construction "of" one of the gears.

Fig.v 7 is ,a fragmentary detailed view showing theconformation of the axle gear teeth.

Inthe embodiment of my inventi'onillustrated, .a locomotive 1 is provided with a central frame portion 2, a pair of axles 3, 3, supporting wheels 3, 3, on said axles, and a storage battery box 4:, mounted on said frame, and supported thereon by a plurality of springs 5, 5. Said battery box is adapted to contain a plurality of storage battery cells (not shown) of any standard construction, preferably arranged side by side. As will be manifest to those skilled in the art, a locomotive of the type illustrated requires a relatively large number of battery cells in order to provide sullicient capacity for operation under usual conditions. I find it desirable to arrange the battery box symmetrically with respect to the supporting axles, and extending the full width-of the frame as snown, in order to properly distribute the weight of the batteries on the locomotive' The battery box may also be provided with a pluralityof removable covers 1*, 4 so that the batteries may be readily accessible for inspection, removal, or repairs.

The axles '3, 3, are each journaled in bracket's 6, 6, which are pivotally connected to the frame 2 by horizontal disposed pivot pins 7,,7. Said pivot pins 7 7, are preferably located in alinement with each other near one side of said frame portion 2 and above the axles, as shown in Fig. 3. The opposite unpivoted ends of the brackets 6, 6 are each provided with vertically disposed springs 8, 8, seated in recesses 9, 9, on said frame to provide resilient supports for one side of the frame and locomotive body, It will be seen that this pivoted construction allows one axle to swing in relation to the other axle so that the wheels may remain in contact with the rails during the operation of the locomotive over uneyen traclr. 1n the preferred construction shown, both axles 8, 3, are pivoted, but it is manifest that substantially the same flexibility of the truck will result, if only one of the axles is mounted on a p'iyoted bracket, and the other axle mounted rigidly with respect to the frame.

cated between the axles, as shown. This arrangement allows the motor to be set as low on the frame as is practicable, as it will be seen, that the bottom wall of the motor casing 11 establishes the clearance of the locomotive over the center of the roadbed. The motor 10 maybe of any approved type, the details of which neednot be described for the purpose of disclosing the present invention, except to call attention to the usual form of commutator 1d, and commutator brushes 15, preferably located in the end portion 12 of the casing 11, which extends between and beyond the locomotive wheels, on one side of the frame. A removable cover plate 110 extends over the end of the casing 11, and may be removed to allow the entire armature 12 to be taken out of said casing. Hand holes 11 11", having covers 11, 11 hinged to said cover plate 11, are also provided for inspecting and adjusting the commutator brushes.

The power transmission mechanism (aura prisesthe armature shaft 13, pinion 16 on said armature shaft,two intermediate gears 17, 17, mounted on the frame on opposite sides of said a mature pinion and meshed therewith, and gear wheels, 18, 18, rigidly mounted on the axles 3, 8, and each meshed with an intermediate gear 17. The arrange ment is such that the pinion 16, intermediate gears 17, 17, and axle gears 18, 18, all 1 0-, tate in substantially the same vertical plane as the axes of the pivots 7 7. This arrangement of gearing allows each axle to swing on its respective pivot 7, while maintaining driving connectionbetween the axle gear 18, and its respective intermediate gear 17, in all permissible positions of the axle.

1t willbe observed, however, that the main feature of the arrangement just'described,

' is the provision of a meshed relation, at a point substantially in the same vertical plane with the axes of pivots 7, 7, between the intermediate gears 17, 17, and suitable gears carried by the brackets 6, 6,. each of the last named gears having operative connection' with its respective axle. lnother words, my invention broadly covers any arrangement of power transmittingmechanism carried on the brackets 6, 6, which mechanism includes a gear having continuous driving connection with an intermediate gear mounted on the frame in'the manner shown. I do not, therefore, wish to be understood as limiting myself to the particular form of gearing which 1 have chosen herein as the preferred embodiment of my invention, excepting as specifically included in the appended claims.

. Fig. 7 illustrates a preferred conformation of the gear teeth 31, of the axle gears 18, in which the endsv 32, 32, of each tooth are slightly tapered or rounded, and the end portions 33,738, ofthe trough between the teeth, are beveled :or rounded. as shown, in order to permit a proper engagement of the teeth when the axle is removed out of parallelism with :its respective intermediate gear 17. i

The pivots 19, 19, of the intermediate -gears- 17,17, are preferably positioned in approximately the same. horizontal plane as the wheel axles 3,3, so that any wear of the 'axle'journal bearings will have no appreciable effect on the geared conneetionubetween the intermediate gears and the axle ears. I do not wishto be 'understoodas limiting myself to this specific construction, however, except as specifically limited in the appended claims; The pivots19, 19, of said intermediate gears comprise two stationary spindles 20, 20, each seated on one endin suitable bosses 21,21, adjacent the motor casing, and at. the other end, in down wardly depending bosses 22,22, preferably cast integral with the frame, and'secured by suitable set .screws 23, 23, (see Fig. I).

' Mounted on each spindle 20,20, is apair of anntdar ball bearing races 2e and 25, of any approved pattern, comprising inner races 24 and 25 and outer races 24", and 25*, respectively, and provided with ball bearings 26, 26. Said ball bearing races are located on opposite sides ofithecentral plane of rotation of the intermediate gears and their associated axle gears 18, 18, as shown. (See Fig. 6.) An annular separator ring 27 is inserted between the; outer races 24: and 25 A gear body 26 having a toothed periphery 27, :engages'the outer peripheries of the races 24c", and 25 said gear' body being also provided with an annular flange 26" extending over and engaging a side face of the race 25 Aclampingring 28 engages the oppositely disposed side "face ofthe race 24" and is held thereagainst by a plurality of bolts 29, 29, extending through the gear body 26 and said clamping ring, whereby the outer races 24 and 25, and theseparator ring 27, are firmly clamped in the gear body 26. Bearing rings 80, 30, are mounted on thetspindle 20 on the outside of the inner ballraces 24 and 25, respectively, said bearing rings extending slightly beyond the lateral faces of the gear to engage the bosses 21 and 22, and space the gear in place therebetween. This construction provides a bearin for radial loads, as well as anylateral thrust on the intermediate gear caused bythe swinging of the wheel axles on their pivots, which thrust is transmitted through the bearing rings 3 30,- to the supporting bosses 21 or 22. Any suitable roller hearings, or similar anti-friction bearing devices may be used in place ofthe ball bearings above described, if deslred.

From the foregoing description, it Wlll be clear f'thatwll'have provided Ha driving mechanism in operable relation with two locomotive axles having relative flexibility, in which the wheelbase is made of su'liicient length to permit a storage battery of the desired size to be mounted over the driving mechanism and to form with said storage battery, a locomotivesuitable for operation in mines. The pivots of the axle supporting brackets, and the drivegearingin vertical alinement therewith, are mounted near one side of the locomotive andlbeyond the boundaries of the motor casing and form therewith a simple, durable and compact arnangement of parts,requiringa minimum of space for the entire driving mechanism. The arrangement issuch that the bearings and parts ofthe drive gearing are readily accessible from one side of the locomotive, and the motor parts are readily accessible from the opposite side of the locomotive, for inspection, adjustment, or removal, without necessitatingtheremoval of the storage battery box or the supporting wheels from the frame.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and: desire to'secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A locomotive comprisingamain frame, twoaxles, a motor mountedon said frame having its greatest width between and extending below said axles,\.a gear carried by said main frame intermediate said motor and one of'said'axles, and forming an operative connection therebetween, and means connecting the last named axles to said frame and affording-movement of said axles substantially in a vertical plane; whereby said gear is maintained in driving connection with said axle in all its various positions.

2. Alocomotive comprising a main frame, two axleslaterally spaced apart, at least one of which is pivotally connected with said frame by i a substantially horizontal pivot, an electric motor mounted on said frame having its greatest width between and'extending belowsaid axles, an armature shaft arranged substantially parallel with said axles, and a gear carried by said frame intermediate said armature shaft andsaid pivoted axle, and alfording an operative connection whereby said axle is driven in all its various positions.

3. A locomotive having a frame, two axleslaterally spaced apart, means affording movement of said axles substantially in a vertical plane independent of each other, an electric motor mounted on said frame having an armature shaft substantially parallel with the normal position of said axles, said'motor having its greatest width between and extending below said axles, an operative connection between said arma ture shaft and each axle, and a storage battery carried bysaid frame above said its greatest width between and extending below said axles, and an operative connection between said motor and said axles inclependent of said pivot, whereby said axles are driven in all their various positions( 5. A locomotive having a frame, two axles laterally spaced apart, at least one of which is pivotally connected with said frame by a substantially horizontal'pivot, an electric motor mounted on said frame and having its greatest width between and extending below said axles, an operative connection between said motor and said axles independent of said pivot, whereby said axles are driven in all their various positions, and a storage battery carried by said frame above said motor.

-6. A locomotive having a frame, two axles laterallyspaced apart, at least one of which is pivotally connected with said frame by a substantially horizontal pivot, an electric motor mounted-on said frame having an armature shaft substantially parallel with said axles, said motor having its greatest width between and extending below said axles, and an operative connection between said motor and said axles.

7. A locomotive having a frame, two axles laterally spaced apart, at least one of which is pivotally connected with said frame by a substantially horizontal pivot, an electric motor mounted on said frame having an armature shaft substantially parallel with said axles, said motor having its greatest width between and extending below said axles, an operative connection between said motor and said axles, and a storage battery carried by said frame above said motor. x s V V V 8. A locomotive having a frame, two axles laterally spaced apart, at least one of which is pivotally connected with said frame by a substantially horizontal. pivot, a gear oneach of said axles, two intermediate gears substantially in line with said pivot and each having operative connection with one of said axle gears, and a motor mounted on said frame having operative connection with each of said intermediate gears.

f). A locomotivehaving a frame, a motor mounted thereon, two axles laterally spaced 6O apart, at least one of which is pivotally connected near the end thereof with said frame by a substantially horizontal pivot, a gear on each of said axles, two interme diate gears substantially in line with said pivot, and each having driving connection 'by said frame, two axles laterally spaced apart, at least one of which ispivotally connected with said frame by a substantially horizontal pivot, a gear on each of said axles, two intermediate gears mounted on the frame substantially in line with said pivot, and each having driving connection with one of said axle gears, and anoperative connection between said intermediate gears and said motor.

11. A locomotive having a frame, a motor carried by said frame and located on one side thereof, two axles laterally spaced apart, each mounted on a bracket pivotally.

connected with said frame near the other side thereof and beyond the boundary of said motor, gears on said axles, twointermediate gears mounted on said frame substantially in line with said pivots and each having operative connection with one. of said axle gears, and an operative connection between said intermediate gears and said motor. V V r 12. A locomotive having a frame, a motor mounted thereon, a storage battery carried by said frame, two axles laterally spaced apart, at least one of which is pivotally connected with said frame by a'substantially horizontal pivot, a gear on each of said axles, two intermediate-gears mounted on the frame substantially in line with said pivotand each having driving connection with one of said axle gears, and with said mot-or, said intermediate gears being on one side and beyond the boundary of said motor.

13. A locomotive having a frame, two axles laterally spaced apart,-at least one of which is pivotally connected with vsaid frame by a substantially horizontal pivot near one side thereof, an electric motor mounted on said frame having an armature shaft substantially parallel with said axles, a gear on each of said axles substantially in line with said pivots, two intermediate gears mounted on said frame, and each geared with one of said axle gears, a pinion on said armature shaft. between said intermediate gears and meshed therewith, said axle gears, intermediate gears, and pinion all rotating in substantially the same vertical plane. V

14;. A locomotive having a frame, two axles laterally spaced apart, at least one of which is pivotally connected with said frame by a substantially horizontal pivot, a motor mounted on said frame and having its greatest width between and extending below said axles, and a trainof gearsalfording operative connection between said motor and each axle, all of said gears being on one side and beyond the boundary of said motor.

15. A locomotive comprising a frame, two axles laterally spaced apart, at least one of which is pivotally connected with said frame by a substantially horizontal pivot, a motor mounted on said frame having its greatest width between and extending below said axles, and a train of gears mounted on said frame having an operative connection with said pivoted axle at a point substantially in line with said pivot, whereby said axle is driven in all its various positions.

16. A locomotive having a frame, a motor mounted thereon, an axle pivotally connected with said frame by a substantially hori zontal pivot, a gear fixed on. said axle, a sec- 0nd. gear meshed with said axlegear, and having driving connection with said motor, both of said gears rotating in substantially the same vertical plane with the axis of said pivot, and a bearing for said second gear mounted on said frame, comprising a plurality of anti-friction bearings spaced on both sides'of said vertical plane.

17. A locomotive having a frame,a storage battery carried on said frame, two axles laterally spaced apart and provided with supporting wheels, means pivotally connecting at least one of said axles with said frame near one side thereof, a motor mounted on said frame having an armature extending beyond the plane of said supporting wheels at the opposite side of said frame,

and an operative connection between said armature and said axles.

18. A locomotive having a frame, a motor mounted thereon, a bracket pivotally connected to said frameand-having an axle journaled therein, a gear mounted on said bracket having a driving connection with said axle, a second gear intermediate said motor and said first mentioned gear, and having an operative connection with the latter substantially in the samevertical plane with the axis of said pivoted connection, and

a bearirfg for said second gear on said frame, comprising a plurality of annular anti-friction bearings spaced on both sides of said vertical plane.

19. A locomotive having a frame, a stor-- age battery carried by said. frame, two axles laterally spaced apart and provided with supporting wheels, means affording independent movement of said axles substantially ina vertical plane, an electric motor,

a casing for said motor mounted on said frame and between said axles, said casing having an end portion extending laterally beyond the plane of the supporting wheels on one side of the locomotive, means in said end portion affording access to said motor, and means located .at the opposite end of said casing affording operative connection between said motor and said axles.

20. A locomotive having a frame, a stora ge battery carried on said frame, two axles laterally spaced apart and provided with supporting wheels, means pivotally connecting at least one of said axles with said frame near one side thereof, a motor mounted on said frame having an armature extending beyond the plane of said supporting wheels at the opposite side ofsaid frame, and a train of gears forming an operative connection between said armature and said axles at a point substantially in line with said pivot.

21.. A locomotive having a frame, two axles laterally spaced apart, at least one of which is pivotally connected with said frame by a substantially horizontal pivot, an electric motor mounted on said frame, and having an armature interposed between and arranged substantially horizontal with the normal position of said axles, and an operative connection between said armature and said axles whereby said axles are driven in all their various positions.

22. A locomotive having a frame, two

axles laterally spaced apart, and provided with supporting wheels, a storage battery carried by said frame above said axles and wheels,-means affording independent movement of said axles substantially in a vertical plane, an electric motor mounted on said frame having its greatest width between and extending below said axles, and a train of gears affording operative connection be tween said motor and each axle; all of said gears being on one side and beyond the boundary of said motor.

23. A locomotive having a frame, two axles laterally spaced apart and provided with supporting wheels, means afiording independent movement of said axles substantially in a vertical. plane, an electric motor mounted on said frame having its greatest width between and extending below said axles, two gears mounted on said frame, each arranged intermediate said motor and one of saidaxles, and forming an operative connection therebetween; both of said gears being on one side and beyond the boundary of said motor.

24. A locomotive comprising a main frame, two axles laterally spaced apart, one of which is adapted to swing out of parallelism with the other of said axles, an electric motor mounted on said frame having an armature shaft interposed between, and-substantially parallel with the normal position of said axles, and a train of gears affording an operative connection between said armature and said axles. i

WILLIAM W. SLOANE. 

